scrapycruiser
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,095
JeanieP and Scrapycruiser,
When you go to Rome are you bringing the kids? Also, are you planning on going to the Vatican? We are seriously thinking about canceling our reservation and trying this on our own. I just e-mailed the Bishops office to see if they will book a guided tour, however, I read further down they like groups of 20. I've also looked at the ICON site someone else suggested. Our excursion says 9 hours in the Vatican, I understand there's a lot to see, but I want to see some other sites as well (but I really don't want to miss the Sistine).
Also Nordkin - how can we all ever thank you!!!!!
We are taking Jack to Rome. We hired a private guide...Romecabs.Gina
GINA
First, to Vail and Scrappy -- yes, we are doing Rome truly on our own -- taking the train into Rome from Civatevecchia. We have decided not to bring the children -- very tough for me, but finally decided against it. We have been to Rome before, so we are going to just see a few sights that I must see again (Colosseaum, Forum, Pantheon) and then we will spend most of our time in the neighborhood of Trastavere -- shopping and eating our way through this quaint area of Rome. By the way, if any of you have children older than 10, make sure you save time to hit the Egyptian collection of the Vatican Museums if you are going to the Museums -- very cool and interesting and something that has really stuck in my memory all of these years.
) once used Naples as our jumping off city for many adventures. Yes, traffic in Naples can be a bit intimidating, but walk with authority and always act like YOU have the right of way. Finding your way to the train station in Naples will be exciting (and the hardest part of your adventure, if you call crossing the street hard), and once you do find it, there are train stops for all the great cities, including Pompeii (and Sorrento,and Herculaneum, etc). You can go on Trenitalia's website and print out the departo times -- feel free to ask the ticket folks for help as well. Once at Pompeii, you can see the sights on your own, or use a walking map tour or sign up for a tour. We did it on our own once, AFTER HOURS WHEN THE PARK WAS CLOSED(long story, let's just say that "closed" in Italy doesn't necessarily mean "closed" if you can come up with a good story, same true for churches and other monuments), and had a blast. If you can, make it up to the House of Mysteries (I think that was what it was called) where the frescoes are VERY interesting and controversial....I won't give it away, go see for yourself! Don't be nervous to do Pompeii on your own -- it is easy, you will save lots of money, and have a very interesting story to tell when you get back. It is always good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end! CHEERS! 
After reading some of the other reviews and knowing how hot the afternoon sun is, we are going to attempt to do this on our own as well. We were thinking about heading out after breakfast, taking the train to Pompeii and then heading back to swim and relax. We would LOVE to tag along if that works for you.
so that stress is gone! 
Jocelyne
That is one of our reasons for rethinking the Rome excursion. I want some freedom 
WELCOME MVAN 
